And Congress failed to pass an energy bill to help make a dent in our emissions as climate change continues to affect the nation and world.

That makes what's going on at the state level all the more important.

View full sizeOregon Environmental CouncilThe federal government released new guidelines for reducing children's exposure to the chemical bisphenol-A, which is used in some plastic cups and bottles. The Oregon Legislature will take BPA again next year.

"It shifts the focus back to states like Oregon," says Andrea Durbin, Oregon Environmental Council executive director. "How do we develop strategies to reduce carbon emissions?"

So many Oregonians work every day to reduce emissions, clean up the air and water, foster more renewable energy, protect the state's natural beauty, reduce wasteful consumption, give us healthful local food and get toxins out of products we buy. Oregonians' concern for the environment remained front and center, says Jon Isaacs, executive director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. This, despite an economy that sometimes made jobs and environment seem like an either/or choice.

Environmental leaders and advocates say the following are some of highlights, both good and bad, for 2010 in Oregon, and things to watch in the new year:

MEASURE 76 It sailed to victory with 69 percent of the vote. For every county to pass an environmental measure like that is pretty unusual, says Durbin. It continues indefinitely the 15 percent set aside from lottery revenue that has funneled more than $800 million into Oregon parks and natural resources over the past decade. It has helped build new parks and recreation areas and funded efforts to make rivers cleaner and safer for native salmon and wildlife. "Oregonians really do value our natural environment and legacy and are willing to put money behind it," says Durbin.

BISPHENOL A The Oregon Senate defeated a bill that would have banned the endocrine-disrupting chemical from baby bottles and sippy cups. Bisphenol A has been linked to cancer, learning disabilities and more. At least seven states have banned the chemical from children's food and beverage containers: Connecticut, Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin, Maryland, Vermont and New York. Canada just banned it in baby bottles. The issue will return to the Legislature in 2011, and state Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, D-Portland, who chairs the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, is optimistic it will pass. "We're trying to keep Bisphenol A away from vulnerable populations," she says.

BUSINESS ENERGY TAX CREDIT The idea was perfect in many ways, such as tax incentives to encourage renewable energy projects in the state. But after The Oregonian revealed BETC's lack of oversight, the Legislature voted to cap the program and do a better job of vetting projects. Dingfelder says more changes are likely coming in 2011. That uncertainty could hurt a broad swath of industries from green buildings to solar energy, wind, geothermal and biomass projects, says Lisa Adatto, Oregon director of Climate Solutions. The program certainly needed more transparency and accountability, she admits, but she would hate to see it go away: "It's Oregon's economic development strategy."

View full sizeThe OregonianBased on staff recommendations, Oregon regulators may reject Portland General Electricâs plan to close the Boardman coal-fired power plant in eastern Oregon earlier than planned.

month approved a Portland General Electric plan to close the state's only coal-fired power plant by Dec. 31, 2020. Its emissions are the state's top source of haze-causing pollution and greenhouse gas. Opened in 1977, Boardman would be the youngest coal plant in the country to close for environmental reasons. "Oregon has really led on that one," says Durbin at Oregon Environmental Council.

GREEN SENSIBILITIES While the "key environmental story is what didn't happen" at the national and international level, there's still a great story unfolding in Portland, says Spencer Beebe, founder of Ecotrust in Portland: More bicycles and bike lanes and neighborhood greenways, a boom in local seasonal food, a continued commitment to dense urban development, etc. "We have the good fortune of an independent-minded, practical populace that cares about the rivers and mountains and land-use planning," he says. "We're fortunate to live in this place in this time."

PLASTIC BAGS Fred Meyer grocery stores dropped one-time use plastic bags in its Portland stores, following the lead of New Seasons and Whole Foods. Prospects are rosy that the Legislature will hammer out a statewide ban next year on the single-use plastic bags. Grocers and environmental groups are lining up behind it, with the ban targeted to go into effect November 2011. Oregon would likely be the first state to do away with single-use plastic checkout bags.

MARINE RESERVES The Ocean Policy Advisory Council endorsed plans for three more marine reserves to protect fish, seabirds and their habitats: Cape Perpetua near Yachats, Cascade Head near Lincoln City and Cape Falcon south of Cannon Beach. Should the governor and Legislature approve that next year, it would bring the number of reserves in the state to five, adding to Redfish Rocks near Port Orford and Otter Rocks near Depoe Bay, both scheduled to take effect in June. "While this is a good start, it's just a start," says Meryl Redisch, executive director of the Audubon Society of Portland. "More needs to be done."